Rod Hay continues to live the rodeo life, but three times over.
An eight-time national champion and winner of four Calgary Stampede titles, no other Canadian bronco jockey has qualified for more world championships.
Retired in 2010, Hay was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2019.
His three sons, Logan, 25, Dawson, 23 and Devon, 18, who ride saddle broncos, were invited to compete in this year’s Calgary Stampede rodeo, which starts Friday.
“There’s never a dull day when you have three kids riding horses for a living,” Rod said. “One is winning, one is banged up, one is trying to get to a rodeo and trying to figure out how to get there and the truck is broken.”
The 10-day Stampede rodeo is one of the richest in the sport, offering $1.5 million in prize money.
Dawson has made two Stampede appearances, although a leg injury may sideline him this year.
Logan makes his open saddle bronc debut, while Devon rides a novice saddle bronc for the first time.
“It means a lot. A dream come true more or less, holy shit,” Devon said. “It’s going to be great to be there with all my brothers, my dad, my mom.”
Said Logan: “I always dreamed of competing outdoors at the Calgary Stampede. From watching my dad when I was young to competing in rookie, it’s always been something I put very high on my list of goals.
“If you ask anyone, they will tell you that the Calgary Stampede is one of their favorite rodeos and it’s not just about the money. It’s the atmosphere.”
Years of watching her husband routinely master a half-ton rocking horse gave Shelley Hay some solace.
However, the fact that his children are following in their father’s footsteps tests his nerves.
“It’s very different when it’s your babies traveling around,” she said. “I was getting used to seeing my two oldest. The learning curve when they are starting, my youngest just turned 18. . . that’s a little harder to see. They get into some shipwrecks.
All three competed on the same day at a rodeo in Lea Park, Alta., in June.
“You literally hold your breath. You’re almost blue by the end of the event,” Shelley said. “Honestly, I didn’t think the three of them would be competing at the level that they are.
“Obviously we have lived this lifestyle because Rod rode professionally and was very successful in the sport. I always assumed they’d give it a try, especially considering we have three kids. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to compete at that level of competition. Very proud of them.”
Born in life, the children of professional athletes often play the sport of their parents. Logan and Dawson traveled with Rod to rodeos when they were young. Before getting on a horse, they played on Rod’s slicer.
They are old enough to remember watching their father compete in both the Calgary Stampede and the National Finals Rodeo world championships in the United States.
Those ranked in the top 15 in the world in season money earned NFR berths, which Rod did 20 times and Dawson has now done twice.
Calgary Stampede money counts towards world rankings. The champion of each event takes home more than $100,000 in combined money for the day and a winner’s check.
“Counting towards the world rankings, it makes a huge difference getting to the NFR,” Logan said. “A guy could almost earn enough there to go to the NFR by himself.”
A career-ending leg injury forced Rod to withdraw from the NFR in Las Vegas the last year he qualified in 2010.
“Some of my best childhood memories were cheering for my dad at rodeos,” Dawson said. “It’s a big part of my childhood, watching my dad compete. I think that had a big influence on me and my brothers.”
Saddle bronc competitors are often called the “smooth riding cowboys” of the rodeo. Riders are scored on their ability to produce a smooth, controlled ride for eight seconds, which requires agility, power and quick thinking to stay in the saddle.
A teenage horseback rider embarks on a steep learning curve to learn the trade. Injuries are common. Rod’s experience has helped his children through the defining years.
“Obviously my dream was to ride NFR growing up,” Dawson said. “It’s a bit of a long shot at first with two or three years of accidents, not staying, not scoring, not reaching the amateur finals.
“You see other guys win because they stay, but maybe they’re not driving right. You go to rodeos every weekend and you fall, but you’re trying to do it the right way. It seems easier to hang on and make some money.
“Dad always said ‘forget about the money right now. This is a small splinter, a drop in the big picture. You’ll be much better off if you keep driving right and doing things right.’ He got us out of a lot of moments like that.”
Devon’s memories of watching his father compete are hazier than those of his older brothers, but being the youngest has its perks.
The teenager has a selection of the best practice horses on the family ranch near Wildwood, Alta, which is 70 miles west of Edmonton.
“When he decided he was going to try it, we already had some good starter horses and he had three trainers instead of one,” Rod said.
“He’s probably off to the best start ever. We streamlined the path for him a little bit better on what to do and how to do it.”
Rod will be by the Calgary Stampede slides to train Devon, but Logan and Dawson now require less guidance from him.
“With Devon, we talk about rides all the time. There comes a point with the older guys, I just do my bit when they ask me to,” Rod said. “Now they are absolute professionals and they drive as well as anyone.”
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